Latch

Abstract

A latch for locking an aircraft folding wing is disclosed having a lug including an aperture, and a latch pin moveable within the aperture. The latch further includes a seal configured to inhibit fluid transfer between the aperture and the latch pin as the latch pin moves within the aperture.

1 . A latch for locking an aircraft folding wing, the latch comprising:
 a lug comprising an aperture;   a latch pin moveable within the aperture; and   a seal configured to inhibit fluid transfer between the aperture and the latch pin as the latch pin moves within the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The latch according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a resilient portion. 
     
     
         3 . The latch according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a contact portion configured to wipe the latch as the latch pin moves within the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The latch according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a retaining portion for retaining the seal in place. 
     
     
         5 . The latch according to  claim 4 , wherein the resilient portion is between the contact portion and the retaining portion. 
     
     
         6 . The latch according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is within a bush. 
     
     
         7 . The latch according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a latch pin seal, the latch pin seal attached to the latch pin and configured to contact the aperture as the latch pin moves within the aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The latch according to  claim 7 , wherein the latch pin seal is adjacent to an outer circumference of the latch pin. 
     
     
         9 . The latch according to  claim 8 , wherein an outer edge of the latch pin seal is curved. 
     
     
         10 . The latch according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises an aperture seal, the aperture seal attached to the aperture and configured to contact the latch pin as the latch pin moves within the aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The latch according to  claim 10 , wherein the aperture seal is adjacent to an inner circumference of the aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The latch according to  claim 10 , wherein an outer edge of the aperture seal is tapered. 
     
     
         13 . The latch according to  claim 1 , wherein a height of the seal is between 0.1 mm and 2 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The latch according to  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for moving the latch pin, the actuator being electrically powered or hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         15 . An aircraft wing comprising a fixed wing and a wing tip mounted at an end of the fixed wing, the wing tip rotatable relative to the fixed wing about a hinge axis, wherein the aircraft wing further comprises:
 a latch according to  claim 1 , the aperture located within the fixed wing or the wing tip, adjacent to the hinge axis.